So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! James 3:5 ESV
My New England home is famous for its Vermont cheese, maple syrup and Fall foliage, but one lesser-known product which we have in abundance is poison ivy. This lovely plant has nice shiny leaves, prolific annual growth and pretty red berries. Those lovely berries are greatly loved by the birds, which happily gobble them down and then generously plant them everywhere that isn’t paved or under water. In today’s verse, the Apostle James tells us about a far deadlier poison than that in our ivy: That is the poison of our words. A single seed of malicious gossip, whether by text, social media or by phone, can destroy relationships, careers and even lives. James says, that though started by just a tiny spark, that they can set an entire forest on fire. But the good news is that in the same way that gossip spreads, words of grace can also spread, and in an even more powerful way, In Galatians, we are given the list of the kinds of seeds that God wants us to plant:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; Galatians 5:22-23a
Right this moment we have the opportunity to begin planting loving words, joyful praises, peaceful phrases, patient encouragements, kind offers, good suggestions, faithful promises, gentle assurances and self-controlled responses. These seeds, when planted in our garden will lead to a far different and better harvest. James ends by calling it:
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:18
Though we must be patient because it will take a season for these seeds to grow, the harvest will be worth it. So, what’s growing in your garden today?
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I love this beautiful analogy, Pete. I grow what I plant. More importantly, I need to focus on growing what God wants to plant. Thank you for what you planted here in my heart today.
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Thank you Patty. I appreciate so many of the stories you have planted in our hearts as well.
Thank you, Pete.
Your title reminds me of Veggies Tales song “I’m a Rumor Weed”
That must be the only veggie tale I missed watching with our grandkids! Thanks for reading and commenting.
The main character was Larry Boy
An excellent comparison- poison ivy and gossip. My brother tells the story of new neighbors who were so enamored by the vine crawling up their backyard fencing that the wife cut a “bunch” and stuck it in a vase on their kitchen table. Needless to say, my brother had to kindly educate them to the realities of poison ivy and the need to spray and kill that “beautiful” vine.
Oh that sounds like their vine gathering was followed up by a week of itching and calamine lotion!